TT - AIT requires face-to-face interviews for kids' US visas

From my archive of press clippings:

Taipei Times

AIT requires face-to-face interviews for kids' US visas


By Jenny W. hsu

STAFF REPORTER


Saturday, Jun 20, 2009, Page 2

“Too often, we have found instances where people who were not Taiwan citizens have been able to obtain genuine Taiwan passports.”— Stephen Young, AIT director

Starting on July 1, Taiwanese passport holders under the age of 14 will require a face-to-face interview with a US immigration officer when applying for a US visa, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The announcement was posted on the official AIT Web site yesterday, but the AIT was reluctant to comment on whether the policy change was in response to human trafficking arrests made last month.

The ring, headed by Taiwanese and Chinese “snakeheads,” used personal information from Taiwanese Aboriginal children under age 14 but used pictures of underage Chinese girls to apply for Republic of China passports.

The passports were then used to obtain a US visa.

The victims often ended up working in brothels or sweatshops upon arriving in the US, Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency said."

&

"Persons above age 79 are still exempt from the interview process. When asked if the policy change was in response to the recent human trafficking case, AIT spokesman Thomas Hodges yesterday declined to give a direct answer, but referred to comments made by AIT Director Stephen Young.

Asked about the possibility of including Taiwan in the US’ visa-waiver program last December, Young said: “Too often, we have found instances where people who were not Taiwan citizens have been able to obtain genuine Taiwan passports.” "

JO - China to spend billions on friends like Jamaica. VP's visit was only Caribbean stop.

Jamaica Observer



China to spend billions on friends like Jamaica


VP's visit was only Caribbean stop


BY KIMONE THOMPSON Senior Reporter Special Coverage Unit thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com


Sunday, March 01, 2009


CHINA, once among the least liked countries by the West, is rapidly becoming best friends, at least of the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. And for several good reasons.
GOLDING... signs seven bilateral agreements totalling US$138 million
Not the least of these is the hefty billion-dollar loan and aid packages which Chinese vice-president, Xi Jinping said his country would unveil over the next couple of weeks in several countries in the region.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Xi Jinping was greeted with open arms by Jamaican officials just over a week ago when he arrived here after a first stop in Mexico on a six-country tour which also included Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Malta, off the Italian coast."

"While here, Xi Jinping and Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding signed seven bilateral agreements totalling US$138 million (J$12 billion) on areas including trade, agriculture, infrastructural development, education and culture."

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"By friends, China means those who subscribe to the principles of peaceful co-existence between communist and capitalist states, as well as those who embrace the One China policy which bats for the reunification of mainland China and Taiwan. By extension, those who support the unification must not have official ties with Taiwan."

TST - Taiwan welcomes visa waiver

From my archive of press clippings:

The Straits Times

Taiwan welcomes visa waiver

Feb 10, 2009

TAIPEI - TAIWAN'S government on Tuesday welcomed Britain's announcement that it will waive visas for its citizens, saying the move will help promote bilateral ties and tourism.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The British government announced on Monday that starting March 3, Taiwanese people will no longer be required to apply for visas if they are staying in Britain for less than six months and will not be working there."